PITTSBURGH CHESS CLUB

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

May 14^th, 2003

 

Board Members Present: Mr. Jampole (President), Mr. Kapinos (Vice-President), Mr. Szurek (Treasurer), Mr. Opaska (Secretary), Mr. Moskowitz, Mr. Surlow, Mr. Klutz, Mrs. Dorohovich, Mr. Reed, Mr. Leverett

 

 

1.)   Minutes: The Minutes from the March and April Board of Directors meetings were approved.

2.)   Treasurer’s Report: Mr. Szurek presented his report.  The total money in club accounts increased by roughly one thousand, mainly due to the grants and mutual funds.  Total unrestricted club money is at $432.78.  The low total is mainly due to very slim membership dues and the tournament program payouts in April.  The total deficit for the month was about $700.00, which put the unrestricted club money at around -$500.00.  As a result, to pay the rent Mr. Szurek informed the board that he borrowed from the Capital Improvement fund, and will pay the money back when the club is running in the black again.  Mr. Szurek concluded his report by comparing last year’s first 3 months to this year’s.  He pointed out the main differences, the membership program and donations, where the club made more money last year than this.

3.)   Vice-President/Tournament Committee: Mr. Kapinos presented his report.  The William Byland Memorial made a slight profit, only between six and ten dollars, because of a misunderstanding on the advertised based on prize fund.  There are 21 entries so far for the Richard Abrams Memorial.  At this point discussion began on the topic of the Mt. Washington tournament site.  As it stands now everything is a go, and a tournament in August is scheduled to be held there.  The only potential problem is parking; the only parking in the area is metered except on Sundays.  Mr. Moskowitz said he would look into getting a parking permit. 

4.)   Special Events: Mr. Moskowitz informed the board that he is beginning a chess program for seniors.  He is going to be sending Mrs. Van Shura a draft or announcement with special emphasis on women playing chess.  This announcement will be posted on message boards in various senior centers.  Mr. Moskowitz is now looking into getting a grant for the program.  The Special Event featuring Mr. Shabalov was a tremendous success, and Mr. Moskowitz is now trying to work out a match between Johann Ericksson and Mr. Shabalov.  Mr. Moskowitz is also considering raising a prize fund for the game, possibly $300, $200 to the winner and $100 to the loser.  Mr. Moskowitz concluded, informing the board that July 1^st is the scheduled date for the Leverett – Ericksson rematch.

5.)   USCF Liaison/HS League/Library: Mr. Leverett informed the board that the inaugural season of the High School Chess League was very successful, Fox Chapel won, Alderdice finished 2^nd, and Mt. Lebanon was 3^rd.  There are plans to add more teams for the next season.  Mr. Leverett also said that he is considering cataloguing the library.

6.)   Old Business: Mr. Kapinos asked the board to award him a year’s membership in lieu of tournament dues he forwent.  This was made into a motion and passed unanimously, with Mr. Kapinos abstaining from the vote.  Discussion then shifted to fund raising topics.  It was decided to send e-mails to all the people that have quit the club over the last two years.  Mr. Opaska suggested a fund-raiser cookout; Sam’s Club offers a cookout opportunity to non-profits.  Mr. Jampole asked Mr. Opaska to look into and find other teenage members of the club to work such an event.  It was suggested to make a space for contributions on the forms for membership renewals and tournament entries.  Discussion then turned to raising dues.  It was originally suggested by Mr. Moskowitz to raise the senior membership to $45 from $30.  After some discussion Mr. Reed suggested it only be raised to $40 and raise regular membership by $5.  Discussion continued, some of the ideas suggested were; offering a grace period before raising dues allowing members to renew as far ahead as they wanted, relinquishing voting privileges of the 6 month membership, phasing out the 6 month membership and replacing it with a 1 shot trial membership available to new members joining the club for the first time.  In general, the entire board that was present was in favor of raising dues and many of the ideas discussed.  However, it was decided to table all discussion and any vote until the entire board had been involved in the discussion.  More fundraising topics were discussed.  Mr. Surlow suggested finding another instructor and charging him a fee for his class in order to raise money.  This idea touched off a large discussion, which primarily focused around the idea of charging Mr. Meyers a fee.  Once again, several ideas were tossed out; some about ideas for more classes others about ideas of fee arrangements with Mr. Meyers.  Again all discussion was tabled until the entire board could be heard, including Mr. Meyers.

7.)   New Business: Mr. Reed made a motion to allow him to put together a mobile office for use by the resident tournament director in PCC sanctioned events with a budget of $1,100.  Mr. Jampole entertained an amendment that the money be taken from the Capital Improvement fund and paid back by $50 charges to every tournament the PCC runs till it is paid back in full.  This amendment was accepted and the motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Reed abstaining from the vote.  Another motion was made to authorize the purchase after approval by Mr. Kapinos and Mr. Szurek.  This motion also passed unanimously.  Mr. Kapinos brought up a discussion about the rearrangement of tables in the club.  On a suggestion made by Mr. Setterberg, the tables in the club were rearranged with the idea of creating more space.  Mr. Jampole decided that any such matter should be decided by a house committee involving the stewards and that whatever they decide all other users that change the tables must return it to the way they found it before they leave.

8.)   Meeting Adjourned at 9:45.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Michael Opaska